The Washington Simmental Association held a field day in May, 2011. Mr. Carlos Guerra of La Muneca Cattle Co. in Texas was our featured speaker. The lesson I took home from his presentation was that if we want to sell our cattle, we must actively promote them and keep promoting them. My favorite quote from Mr. Guerra was:No See, No Tell, No Sell!This got me thinking about effective marketing practices. A rancher can produce the best livestock on the planet, but it does little good if no one knows they exist! Promotion means getting them seen. This can be accomplished several ways. For marketing of your livestock — the eight ways to effective promotion are listed below:1) Exhibit your livestock through the show circuit. Either show your own animals or sell to juniors who are active in the show ring. If you want to attract young showmen, actively support junior activities through prizes, support money, or event sponsorship.2) Hold a field day or other event on your place and have your livestock on display. This requires the host to clean things up, prep the cattle, and provide excellent hospitality. Don’t make the event all about your operation. Provide an educational speaker and other activities to entice people to attend.3) Display your livestock at outside activities such as breed sales or other field events. Again, the cattle must be prepped – clipped, worked with, and in good condition.4) If you have some expertise, become a speaker or judge. Not only do the livestock have to be seen, but so do you!5) If you don’t want to speak to the public, write for a newsletter, magazine, or blog. Be sure to include your contact information and/or a link to your website.6) Be active in your state breed association and other related groups. This will keep you up to date in the industry and promote your operation indirectly. It benefits the organization as well. An organization is only as good as its best members.7) Network and build relationships. People aren’t just buying cattle. They are buying your program and you. I am much more likely to buy from someone I know, admire, and trust than from a stranger. I am also more likely to recommend them to others.8) Develop an internet presence. In this day and age, if someone wants to find you or check you out, they go to the internet. An eye-catching, user-friendly, and search engine optimized website will make a world of difference in your visibility and sales. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this on your own, find some help.Marketing doesn’t happen unless you actively engage in the process and keep doing it. It also doesn’t happen overnight. It requires time, energy, resources, and commitment. Develop a marketing plan. Work with your family and employees to brainstorm ways to promote your cattle program. For marketing of your livestock — the eight ways to effective promotion can help you reap bountiful rewards.